Simon Banting - Hotel Officer (1976 - 1978)

[Simon Banting]

I was a Hotel Officer, starting off in the Brit Kitchen and subsequently in the Bureau (Travel Bureau and Cashiers).
In 1977 I did the whole of the Jubilee World Cruise as I was the only person trained to use the new electronic billing machine in the Cashiers Office. I believe that only 2 other officers did the whole cruise - Captain Arnott and Eve Tytherleigh, the physio.
I attach a photo of the Bureau staff of that era - I think taken in the Hotel Manager's office.

I eventually left QE2 and Cunard in Auckland, halfway through the 1978 Pacific and Orient Cruise.

I have many happy memories of QE2, although I admit I wanted to go to the Princess or Countess, mainly for tax purposes. I was in the Bureau in July 1976 when the engine room fire forced the ship to limp back to Southampton. We had to interview all the passengers to help with alternative travel arrangements. The organisation of this was chaotic with passengers queuing for at least 2.5 hours before reaching the counter. Any goodwill had evaporated by the time we talked to them. We organised breakdowns far better in Shaw Savill.

The only person I kept in touch with was Security Officer Bob Lockwood (Baby Bomb), who sadly died suddenly in 2016.  My wife and I had seen him only the previous year in Auckland, where he lived.

[Boris]

A few evil looking, ne'er-do-well characters there Simon.

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Hello Simon, and welcome to the QE2Story!

You have some amazing memories there... and what an extraordinary time you were on board, with the 1976 engine room fire...

We have a topic here on the event, with other first-hand witness contributions, you might like to add your own, from a very different perspective, and a key one (the alternative travel arrangements made for the passengers) :

https://www.theqe2story.com/forum/index.php/topic,3934.0.html

Feel at home here, and perhaps rekindle a few other memories!

[Willum]

Hello Simon, sorry to hear about Baby bomb, I have a photo of him with the boat race crew with Venning Ginn Tytherleigh Haines Warden-owen Rod Fair etc. I now need to add you to 'Willums list of shipmates' elsewhere in this archive.  All the best From N.Cornwall   - Willum Tech R/O

[June Ingram]

Welcome, Simon, to The QE2 Story Forum.  Please share with us more of your memories and photos too.  I bet you will find many who you know here on The Forum !   

[Trevor Harris]

Hi Simon!
Welcome to the forum! We hope you enjoy it here. 

[Simon Banting]

One of my claims to fame was being the captain of the winning team in the Wardroom Blow Football competition - late '77 or early '78 I think. Surprisingly hard work to triumph in 6 matches, despite many attempts to nobble us by the opposing teams and their inebriated supporters.
Chris Biggs was goalkeeper/defender, Billie Baillie was midfield and I was striker - a formidable team.

[Rob Lightbody]

Welcome Simon!  You sailed on QE2 when, I think, she was at her most interesting!

Another thing about the 70s is many of the photos have discoloured!  I've taken the liberty of correcting and reposting yours, hope you don't mind!